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Sep202026 by Digicast NegrosNo Comments

Progressive groups remember Escalante massacre, say justice long overdue

A scene from the Escalante massacre* NFSW Facebook page photoProgressive groups led by Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (BAYAN) Negros and Mothers and Relatives of Victims of Tyranny (MARTYRS) on the 41st anniversary of the Escalante Massacre in Negros Occidental on September 20 paid tribute to the 20 civilians “martyrs” killed during the 1985 protest.The victims were killed on September 20, 1985, when Philippine Constabulary forces and paramilitary units opened fire on a peaceful Welgang Bayan (People's Strike) demanding an end to the Marcos dictatorship, they said in a press statement.The fatal dispersal also left hundreds injured in front of the town center.They military forces for attempting to suppress public commemorations and alter historical...

Sep202026 by Mark L. GarciaNo Comments

1,452 cops to secure Martial Law anniversary observance in NIR

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The Police Regional Office-Negros Island Region will deploy 1,452 police personnel across the region for the commemoration of the 54th anniversary of the declaration of Martial Law on Monday, Sept. 21.PRO-NIR said security measures will be implemented in strategic areas where public activities and gatherings are expected.The deployment will include police visibility operations, foot, mobile and motorcycle patrols, traffic assistance, checkpoints, border control, civil disturbance management teams and reactionary standby forces.The 1,452 police personnel will be augmented by eight personnel from other units and 316 force multipliers.PRO-NIR will also be placed on full alert status throughout the commemoration, with personnel directed to maintain heightened vigilance and ensu...

Sep202026 by Digicast NegrosNo Comments

Cadiz launches first-ever nationwide art tilt with hefty prizes at stake

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Cadiz Mayor Salvador Escalante Jr.*The local government unit of Cadiz City in Negros Occidental is launching its first nationwide painting competition with significant cash prizes, inviting artists across Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao to illustrate their interpretations of the theme "Healing."Timed to coincide with the city's upcoming 53rd Dinagsa Festival in January, the art derby marks a major expansion from the local competitions established six years ago at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, a press release from the city government said Sunday, Sept. 20.Cadiz Mayor Salvador Escalante Jr. said he is optimistic about the broader participation, noting that the initiative aims to feature artistic pieces narrating real stories of survival and resilience despite life...

Sep182026 by Joann VillanuevaNo Comments

Nearly P11/liter fuel price hike seen next week

Business, Top Stories

PNA file photoDomestic fuel prices are likely to increase by as much as PHP10.50 per liter due to the sustained escalation of tensions in the Middle East.Citing price developments in the Asian market and the movement of foreign exchange as of Thursday, Jetti Petroleum president Leo Bellas, in a message to journalists on Friday, Sept. 18, said diesel prices are forecast to rise between PHP10 and PHP10.50 per liter and gasoline between PHP4.50 and PHP5 per liter. These figures are way higher than the PHP4.69 per liter hike in gasoline prices and PHP5.18 per liter for diesel this week, based on data released by the Department of Energy (DOE) on Tuesday. Kerosene also rose by PHP5.58 per liter. “Oil prices surged higher after attacks in the Strait of Hormuz and the ...

Sep182026 by Carla P. GomezNo Comments

About 1,800 cops to secure MassKara, road closures proposed

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The MassKara Festival 2026 Interagency Team press conference on preparations for a safe and orderly festival,*Ronnie Baldonado photoAbout 1,800 police officers will be fielded to secure the MassKara Festival in Bacolod City, which kicks off on October 1 and runs until October 18.The festival peaks on October 16 with the Electric MassKara, followed by the arena and street dancing competitions for schools and barangays on October 17 and 18.Eighty percent of the Bacolod police force, about 800 officers, will be deployed to secure the festival. They will be joined by a 1,000-person augmentation force requested from the Police Regional Office Negros Island Region, PLt.Col. Lester L. Leada, Bacolod Police Sub-Site Task Group for Peace and Order commander, said at a ...

Sep182026 by Carla P. GomezNo Comments

MassKara organizers confident SM City Bacolod arena dance competition venue safe from flooding

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Organizers of the MassKara Festival are confident that the arena dance competition to be held between the bridgeways of SM City Bacolod at the reclamation area on October 17 and 18 will not be hampered by potential flooding.Should it rain, they are fairly confident that there will be minimal to no flooding in the area, Atty. Hannah Lea Dela Torre, Bacolod Gugma Foundation Inc. director, said at a MassKara Festival press conference on Friday, September 18.She explained that when it rains and the floodway of the diversion channel is open at the reclamation area, water swiftly subsides as it drains into the sea.Dela Torre noted that there is no alternative venue for the arena dance competition, and that bleachers will be set up for spectators.The new v...

Sep182026 by Mark L. GarciaNo Comments

P170,000 shabu seized in Dumaguete buy-bust

Negros Oriental, Top Stories

A 42-year-old man was arrested after authorities seized about P170,000 worth of suspected shabu during a buy-bust operation in Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental, the police reported Friday, Sept. 18.The suspect, identified as alias “Jester,” was arrested by personnel of the Dumaguete City Police Station’s City Drug Enforcement Unit in Purok 4-B, Brgy. Batinguel, on Thursday.Police said Jester is a resident of Purok Amihan in the same barangay.Operatives recovered four medium-sized sachets containing about 25 grams of suspected shabu with a standard drug price of P170,000.The suspect and the seized evidence were placed under police custody for proper disposition.Jester is expected to face charges for alleged violations of Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dange...

Sep182026 by Mary Judaline PartlowNo Comments

NegOr biz group bats for long-term solutions to power woes

Negros Oriental, Top Stories

The geothermal power plants in Valencia, Negros Oriental provide clean and renewable energy 24/7 and are operated by First Gen's Energy Development Corporation.*PNA/Mary Judaline Flores Partlow file photoThe Negros Oriental Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NOCCI) has welcomed the additional baseload power secured by the province’s two electric cooperatives, saying it will help meet consumers’ growing electricity demand.NOCCI president Edward Du said in a Friday interview that the additional supply for Negros Oriental I Electric Cooperative (NORECO I) and Negros Oriental II Electric Cooperative (NORECO II) is a positive development, but it may not be sufficient once major investors establish operations in the province.“Having a total of 5.2 MW (Megawatts) for both electric coop...

Sep182026 by Mark L. GarciaNo Comments

2 arrested in separate Bacolod theft cases

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Two men were arrested in separate theft-related operations in Bacolod City on Thursday, Sept. 17, the Bacolod City Police Office said.The first suspect, alias “Ritchieboy,” 26, was arrested in Brgy. 39 after a resident reported that her vending machine had been stolen.Police said members of the Bacolod City Mobile Force Company SWAT team were conducting a routine patrol at around 12:30 p.m. when the woman approached them and sought assistance.The stolen vending machine was valued at P7,000 and reportedly contained P3,000 in cash.Police searched the area following the report and subsequently apprehended Ritchieboy, a resident of Brgy. 39.He was brought to Police Station 1 for booking and investigation.In a separate operation at around 5:57 p.m., personnel of Police S...

Sep182026 by Mark L. GarciaNo Comments

Mabinay’s No.1 most wanted arrested for carnapping

Negros Oriental, Top Stories

A 22-year-old man listed as the No. 1 most wanted person in Mabinay, Negros Oriental, was arrested for a carnapping case on Wednesday, Sept. 16.Police arrested the accused in Sitio Cansati-an, Brgy. Canggohob, for alleged violation of Republic Act 10883, or the New Anti-Carnapping Act of 2016.Authorities withheld the identity of the accused.Police also identified the arrested man as a person of interest in a separate robbery with homicide case that occurred in Brgy. Bajumpandan, Dumaguete City, on Sept. 2.Being identified as a person of interest does not establish his involvement or guilt in the robbery with homicide case, which remains subject to investigation, the police said.The court set bail at P300,000 for his temporary liberty in the carnapping case.The accus...